Guns in the Congress!

I just came across this piece by E.J Dionne about the hypocrisy practiced by members of Congess when it comes to gun laws. How to solve their hypocrisy? Let people bring guns into Congress:

Isn’t it time to dismantle the metal detectors, send the guards at the doors away, and allow Americans to exercise their Second Amendment rights by being free to carry their firearms into the nation’s Capitol building? I’ve been studying the deep thoughts of senators who regularly express their undying loyalty to the National Rifle Association and have decided that they should practice what they preach. They tell us that the best defense against crime is an armed citizenry and that laws restricting guns do nothing to stop violence. If they believe that, why don’t they live by it? Why would freedom-loving lawmakers want to hide behind guards and metal detectors? Shouldn’t NRA members be outraged that Second Amendment rights mean nothing in the very seat of our democracy?

Brilliant.

If you appreciate an independent voice holding Montana politicians accountable and informing voters, and you can throw a few dollars a month our way, we would certainly appreciate it.

About the author

Don Pogreba

Don Pogreba is an eighteen-year teacher of English, former debate coach, and loyal, if often sad, fan of the San Diego Padres and Portland Timbers. He spends far too many hours of his life working at school and on his small business, Big Sky Debate.
His work has appeared in Politico and Rewire.
In the past few years, travel has become a priority, whether it's a road trip to some little town in Montana or a museum of culture in Ísafjörður, Iceland.

19 Comments

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I think that's correct. A box of ammo thrown into a fire will explode. A box of ammo hit with a sledgehammer will explode. There is no right to carry explosive devices without appropriate restrictions.

Why should we regulate ammo?! Oh yeah…I forgot…you’re a liberal…you want every aspect of your life to be overseen by the Government.

It’s funny to me that you libs piss and moan about the Second Amendment and how “unclear” it reads in the Bill of Rights, yet, somehow, you’re able to find the right to privacy (Abortion) and the “wall” between Church and State. Weird.

Got me. I am just waiting for the government to make every decision for me.

It's interesting to see that you won't just answer my question. Should Congress be able to restrict guns in the Capitol? Should members of Congress and public be able to bring guns inside the building?

While we're on the subject of your deep and abiding knowledge of the Bill of Rights, which other amendments are without any restriction? Is the First Amendment limitless? Libel and slander are not restricted in it, nor is obscenity.

I assume that your position on the First is the same as the Second…a free-for all.

It's exactly that kind of extremism (the real agenda of the NRA) that Americans absolutely reject.

It’s a fascinating argumentative strategy you’ve adopted, manufacturing my opinions. Of course, I know that air marshals are armed. My position is that no one else should be on an airplane. It seems like you position is that anyone who wants to bring a gun on a plane, into a school, or inside the Congress should be able to. Am I mischaracterizing your position?

Your contention that I don’t think people should be able to defend themselves against criminals is exactly my point. It’s possible that there is a more nuanced position than either all guns all the time or no guns at all. I clearly don’t believe in the latter, but you seem to believe in the former.

That’s an extremist position. I’m honestly curious if I am wrong about what you and the NRA believe.

“It’s possible that there is a more nuanced position than either all guns all the time or no guns at all.”

You are correct, there is a more nuanced position between “all guns” and “no guns”, it’s what’s referred to a “Concealed Weapon Permit”…but I’m sure you already know what a law-abiding citizen has to go through to obtain one, right?